Ma'anar ƙamus na kalmar "tambaya" ita ce:Bayyana ko nuna shakka ko rashin tabbas; skeptical: "a questioning hali" Dangataka da ko siffata ta hanyar yin tambayoyi: "wani dabarar tambayar" Bayyana ko nuna buƙatun neman bayanai: "kallon tambaya"Gaba ɗaya, “tambaya” tana nufin yin tambayoyi ko bayyana shakku ko rashin tabbas game da wani abu. Hakanan yana iya komawa ga wata dabarar da ake amfani da ita a fagage daban-daban, kamar ilimi ko nasiha, don ƙarfafa tunani mai zurfi da tunani ta hanyar yin tambayoyin bincike.